GCSE Results 2017

Students who sat GCSEs at John Kyrle this summer faced new and tougher exams. Also, number grades are replacing letter grades in maths and English. Despite this, students’ performance was very pleasing. In terms of the higher grades of 7-9, John Kyrle’s maths and English departments exceeded the national averages. With 63% gaining standard passes in 5 or more subjects, including English and maths, pupils again performed above the national average. Almost a third of students gained strong passes in the demanding English Baccalaureate. This includes higher grades in maths, English, two Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages and Humanities. Similar results on this measure over the past three years have been significantly above the national average, with positive progress for all students, including disadvantaged.

Many pupils gained the higher grades of 8 and 9 in maths and English. Daniel Champness gained three level 9s in maths, English Language and English Literature. Very few pupils in the country will achieve to this level. Other students earned A* and Distinction* in many subjects still using letter grading. The school’s continued focus upon Technology, Science and Computer Science had seen these subjects perform particularly well. There was also good performance across the school in areas such as Art, Humanities, RE, Business Studies and PE. Amongst the school’s top performers, in addition to Daniel Champness, were Marcus Bailey; Daisy Canham; William Dodsworth; Constanzo Facchiano; Isla Kendall; Poppy LA Grue; Morgan Harris and Martha Williams. These students are all returning to John Kyrle’s ‘Outstanding’ Sixth Form. Headteacher, Nigel Griffiths, said he was delighted for his students, particularly given the national background of a significant variation in GCSE outcomes as the new system embeds. He is extremely grateful to his staff and trustees for their hard work and commitment. Mr Griffiths also wanted to give credit to the parents and carers of Year 11 students for their support. He said attendance at parental consultation evenings had been very high. He and his staff appreciate the level of support shown to the students and school.

Mr Griffiths said GCSE performance augured well for the very high number of local students and those from further afield joining John Kyrle’s Year 7 and Sixth Form in September. He said the school had much to build on as it approached the new school year. Performance at A level continued to be outstanding; the school had performed well at GCSE for all groups of students; attendance was very high and school finances were robust. Moreover, as was seen in March, Ofsted continued to praise the school. This is particularly for Leadership, Student Behaviour and Safety and the Sixth Form, all of which are graded as “Outstanding’. Head of Year 11, Assistant Headteacher, Mark Croad, wanted to pay tribute to his Year 11 students not only for their academic success but their wider contribution to school. He said a number of students represented the school this summer in rugby and netball tournaments in Canada. Year 11 students had performed and won at county championships in football, girls’ rugby and athletics. He said they were also involved in all aspects of the arts, fundraising and working with younger students in areas such as literacy, numeracy and sports. Joint Chairs of Trustees, Karen Frost and Jon Sanger, joined students, parents and staff at school and saw people’s delight when they opened their results. Mrs Frost and Mr Sanger said that, together with last week’s A level results, this performance at GCSE evidenced the school’s continued focus upon academic excellence for students of all abilities.